The first movement Allegro from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto number 1 is built upon the conversational interplay among the 4 instrument groups: horns, reeds, high strings, and continuo. Bach mixes and matches them in all possible ways in between their simultaneous presentation and dismissal at the works beginning and end. It was therefore important for me to include a representative from each of the four groups in the accompanying video, so that the interplay among the groups was hopefully visual as well as auditory. I have chosen Horn I, Oboe I, Violin I (actually the Piccolo Violin part), and Cello (from the continuo group). The audio features a wider stereo panning than I usually use, since the ensemble is so large, and the groups so disparate. This work is also unique since it comprises 12 individual parts; one of the highest of any of Bach’s orchestral works. The original parts are distributed like this:

Oboe I: Alto Melodica
Oboe II: Alto Melodica
Oboe III: Alto Melodica
Bassoon: Bass Melodica
Violino Piccolo: Alto Melodica
Violin I: Alto Melodica
Violin II: Alto Melodica
Viola: Alto Melodica
Cello: Bass Melodica
Bass: Bass Melodica “alla ottava”

Higher quality Mp3 (320 kbt/s):

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

View in HD on YouTube

YouTube Video Playlist

More videos from Jnote.org

• Brandenburg Concerto 4-3 arranged for 7 melodica parts and performed by one player (0)
• Brandenburg Concerto 3-3 with 7 melodica tracks, contained within 3 octaves (0)
• Brandenburg Concerto 3-1 with 10 melodica tracks and live video for 9 parts (0)
• Brandenburg Concerto 2-1 with 4 melodicas in consort plus recorder (0)
• Sinfonia to Cantata BWV 29 for 2 melodicas overdubbed in 9 parts (6)